In March 2015, the Government announced a target of three per cent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation across the Commonwealth public sector by 2018. To monitor progress toward this target the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet publishes annual progress data.

This year, for the first time, the data includes 2018 agency targets. Agency targets are developed based on current Indigenous representation and regional footprint.

In 2015-16, both the number and proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees in the Commonwealth public sector increased—from 6, 879 employees (2.2 per cent) at 30 June 2015 to 8,154 employees (2.4 per cent) at 30 June 2016.

While this progress is encouraging, growth in Indigenous employment must be sustained in order to meet the 3 per cent target by 2018.

The Australian Public Service Commission is helping agencies recruit, retain and develop the capability of Indigenous Australians. The Commission has developed a range of publications and initiatives to improve Indigenous
employment in the Commonwealth and manages the indigenouscareers.gov.au, a dedicated Commonwealth employment portal.

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About the Commission

The Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) is a central agency within the Prime Minister and Cabinet portfolio. The Commission supports two statutory office holders: the Australian Public Service Commissioner—who is also agency head—and the Merit Protection Commissioner. Their functions are set out in sections 41(1) and 50(1), respectively, of the Public Service Act 1999.